{Argus's POV}
Argus watched as the worm-like parasite latched onto his soul, slowly draining what was left of his soul power. He could feel the pain intensifying, a sharp and growing ache that spread through his entire being. The worm's presence was invasive, vile, and relentless as it began to feed on the very essence of his soul.
He knew the stakes — if he allowed this to continue, death was imminent, and the parasite would take over his body completely.
Despite the pain, Argus didn't react outwardly. His expression remained stoic, and his mind, though strained, stayed focused. He observed the situation calmly, weighing his options. Argus knew that, within just a few minutes, his soul would be completely devoured.
The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced, the overwhelming emptiness growing as the parasite dug deeper into his soul. Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, he didn't panic.
Argus was about to make his move when he felt a stirring deep within his Soul Sea. Something powerful and ancient was emerging from the depths of his soul. It was as if the very thing he had been waiting for finally decided to awaken, coming forth to defend its domain.
A chain-like structure, seemingly made of ethereal energy, began to surface from within his soul. It was silent, unseen by the worm, which continued to feast greedily, unaware of the impending danger. More and more chains began to appear, slowly forming a web around the worm, closing in on it from all sides.
Argus gritted his teeth, enduring the growing pain within his soul. Thanks to his Sovereign skills, he was able to hold on, his endurance stronger than most. He watched intently as the virtual chains began to tie themselves around the parasitic worm, restraining it. However, he could not yet feel the chains fully — they were there, but they hadn't solidified completely in his awareness.
The worm, still oblivious to the looming threat, continued to siphon away Argus' soul power. But Argus remained patient, knowing that something far more powerful was now in motion.
Argus had once asked Astrea about the chains, curious if she could see or feel them since they were the very source of her energy restoration whenever she returned to his Soul Sea. However, Astrea had told him she couldn't see or feel the chains. All she knew was the sensation of being revitalized, as if a hidden force within Argus' soul was constantly recharging her and his other summons.
With that, Argus had concluded that only he could perceive these chains. And now, as if to further prove his theory, the chains began to tighten around the worm. The moment they constricted, the worm reacted violently, writhing in pain.
It felt as though its body was being bound by an unbreakable force. No matter how hard it struggled, the chains only tightened further. To make matters worse, the worm sensed something horrifying—it was no longer absorbing Argus' soul power; instead, its own energy was being drained, and at a pace far faster than what it had consumed.
"No! What is happening?! Only we have the ability to suck other creatures' souls! What is this?! What did you do to me?!"
The worm screeched in panic, its voice echoing in Argus' mind.
Unlike the chaotic despair of the worm, Argus remained calm. He could feel his Soul Energy gradually being replenished, the aching sensation of his Soul Injury fading away as a soothing wave of refreshment spread throughout his body. It was a strange but empowering feeling.
As the chains siphoned the worm's energy, Argus noticed something even more remarkable—his Soul Power wasn't just recovering; it was growing stronger, denser. The more the chains drained from the worm, the more robust his soul became. The pain that once gnawed at him was gone, replaced by an overwhelming sense of vitality.
After a while, the worm was completely drained, its writhing body slowly dissolving into dust within Argus' soul. It didn't even understand how it had died—only the overwhelming agony of being drained in the same way it had done to countless victims. The excruciating pain was all it knew as it vanished, leaving no trace behind.
Argus watched it disappear, his expression calm as ever. The chains receded back into the depths of his soul, their task complete, leaving Argus with a renewed and even stronger sense of power within.
'What are those strange chains, really? I still don't know what they are, or what's hidden in my soul...'(Argus)
Argus thought deeply, his brow furrowed with uncertainty.
But he pushed the thoughts aside for now, focusing on the task at hand.
'Anyway, I need to clear this dungeon first. There may be more undead that have come out.'(Argus)
Argus opened his eyes and took a deep breath, preparing to move towards the core's direction. But suddenly, his body didn't obey him. His legs wobbled, and he felt himself falling. Before he could hit the ground, Astrea, always alert, immediately reacted, catching him just in time.
"Master!"(Astrea)
Astrea called out in concern, steadying him. Argus felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, followed by an overwhelming weakness that spread throughout his entire body. He struggled to stand upright, leaning slightly on Astrea for support.
'It's probably because of my soul injury from earlier.'(Argus)
Argus mind trying to piece together the aftermath of the encounter with the parasitic worm. His body wasn't just tired and it felt drained, like every ounce of strength had been pulled from him.
"I'm alright, Astrea. Just put me down for a while."(Argus)
Argus voice steady despite the weakness he felt.
Astrea carefully lowered him to the ground and immediately began searching the dungeon's treasury. She gathered the treasures and retrieved the core. Once everything was collected, the two were enveloped in a blinding light, and they were teleported outside, standing in front of the dungeon entrance.
Argus took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand as he surveyed the area. Despite his weakened state, he knew they had to act quickly to address the undead that had emerged from the dungeon.
As they stood outside the dungeon, Astrea suddenly felt a significant change. The system's restriction on her power lifted, and she could sense her stats beginning to rise. A wave of joy and relief washed over her, and she couldn't help but let out a small, satisfied growl.
"M-master! My stats returned! It looks like we really finished your current mission!"(Astrea)
Astrea exclaimed, her joy evident as she leaped toward Argus for a hug.
Argus, now in a weakened state, quickly raised his hand to stop her. "
Astrea, hold on. I'm not in the best shape right now."(Argus)
Astrea stopped mid-air and gently set him down, her excitement turned into concern.
"Sorry, Master. I just… I'm so glad we made it through."(Astrea)
Argus managed a faint smile, appreciating her enthusiasm.
"I'm glad too. Anyway, leave me here and go clear the undead around. You can move faster than me, and your senses will help you detect any danger. I'll be fine. I also have high intuition. Go ahead!"(Argus)
Argus said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
"Yes, Master. I will clear them quickly and come back right away."(Astrea)
Astrea replied. Her concern was clear, but she was determined to do her job. She took off swiftly, eager to finish her task and return to Argus as soon as she could. She did not want to let her Master be alone with his weakened state afterall.
As Astrea vanished from view, Argus sat down to handle the flood of notifications from his system. He was bombarded with messages detailing his recent actions and rewards. He took a deep breath, preparing himself to read through the updates and figure out what had changed in his status.
As Argus began to read through his logs, he felt a mix of surprise and delight. Despite his usually stoic demeanor, some notifications left him genuinely shocked. Each message revealed significant progress and achievements he hadn't anticipated.
His eyes widened as he scanned through details of the rewards and bonuses he had earned. Some were expected, given his recent battles, but others were beyond his wildest expectations.
Even with his reserved personality, Argus couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. This unexpected bounty not only validated his efforts but also set a new benchmark for his future challenges.
[Congratulations on completing an Emergency Quest!]
[Emergency Quest: Stop The Undead
Mission: Clear the Dungeon
Requirement:
Clear the Undead(Completion:100%)
Dungeon Guardian(1/1)
Dungeon Core Acquisition(1/1)]
Reward:
+20 Skill Point
+??? Armor
Argus received a tattered black robe, its appearance both impressive and worn. The first thing that comes to Argus mind when he saw the award was that of a robe of a cultivator matching with a modernestic style.
The robe, though faded and frayed at the edges, carried an aura of ancient elegance. Its fabric, a deep, shadowy black, shimmered faintly with a silken texture that hinted at its once-pristine condition.
Intricate patterns of arcane symbols, barely visible through the wear and tear, were embroidered along the hems and sleeves. The robe's high collar was slightly torn, giving it a rugged, battle-hardened look, yet it retained a certain regal grace. The fabric, though aged, felt surprisingly soft and resilient to the touch, suggesting it had seen many battles and carried a storied past.